The community group was seeking an executive who had past overall management responsibility of a non-profit agency, company or division of a company. The organization sought someone with experience being the face of an organization with employees, key customers and in the community.

Ms. Bowman-Thomas fit that bill. She is currently director of community services at Community Action Council in Lexington where she oversees operations at the organization’s community centers and manages youth and workforce development programming designed to assist families and individuals reach self-sufficiency. She has worked at the Lexington organization for more than 18 years. She also serves as a board member at the Lexington Leadership Foundation and Partners for Youth.

“Catrena is a charismatic, dynamic leader and she is committed to ending the cycle of poverty,” said J.C. Morgan, head of the search committee, director of the Campbell County Library and Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission board chair. “She’s spent her career helping individuals and families find a life of self-reliance. We’re proud to have her at the helm of NKCAC.”

New Position

In her new role, Ms. Bowman-Thomas will oversee Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission’s $13 million budget, staff of approximately 150, and 24 locations across eight counties dedicated to serving over 25,000 individuals each year. She will assure that by-laws, funding requirements, Kentucky statutes and rules of order are followed with all board functions, including meetings, notices, member recruitment, conflicts of interest, minutes and recordkeeping, said Gilman Partners.

“I find it rewarding to help people reach their personal and professional goals,” said Ms. Bowman-Thomas. “I have accepted this opportunity because NKCAC does that every day with every program and initiative the agency provides. I am so excited to call NKCAC home and to work with such a strong staff and great group of community volunteers to provide a clearer pathway for moving people out of poverty.”

For more than 50 years, the mission of the non-profit’s mission has been to help individuals and families develop the knowledge, opportunities and resources they need to achieve self-reliance. Today, it serves more than 25,000 individuals each year with services including early childhood education, job training, energy and other financial assistance, affordable housing, weatherization, senior citizens centers, child abuse prevention, Affordable Care Act enrollment and educational services.

Stick Rate

Gilman Partners serves clients throughout the Midwest from its Cincinnati headquarters and its office in Chicago. Many of its clients are family owned or privately held. Of the senior leaders placed by Gilman Partners, 96 percent are still with the same organization three years later, according to the latest statistics provided by the firm.

“Our clients already trust us to find and place top leaders who can have an immediate and lasting impact on their organizations,” said Tom Gilman, managing partner and CEO. “Since we have a deep understanding of their organizational culture and the types of leaders who will drive their success, the addition of the talent advisory practice is a natural extension of the leadership continuum. Hiring great leaders is a key first step, but helping them develop to their fullest potential is an investment that always pays dividends.”